No abstract

The crystal structures of C(CH2NH3)4Cl4 (P42/n, a = 9.503(1) Å, c = 6.549(1) Å, Z = 2) and C(CH2NH3)4(SO4)2 (P212121, a = 8.382(2) Å, b = 10.508(3) Å, c = 14.400(3) Å, Z = 4) have been determined. Both crystals contain strong [Formula: see text] bonds; in the sulfate the hydrogen-bonding network is particularly extensive. The thermal motion of the cation can be described satisfactorily as a rigid-body motion.

No abstract

It has been found possible to convert diethanolamine to β,β-dinitroxydiethylnitramine by inclusion of hydrogen chloride or one of its salts as catalyst. The structure of this powerful explosive has been demonstrated by an alternative synthesis involving nitrosation of dinitroxydiethylammonium nitrate, followed by subsequent oxidation of dinitroxydiethylnitrosamine to the corresponding nitramine. The nitrosamine, which is unstable in boiling water, is evidently an impurity in the crude nitramine. It may be removed from the stable nitramine by blowing the suspension of molten crude product with steam. The pure explosive is a stable low-melting solid with power and detonation rate higher than those of nitroglycerin. Its insensitiveness to impact as compared with nitroglycerin recommends it as a replacement for the latter substance in explosive compositions.

The nitrolysis of hexamethylenetetramine by the method of Hale yields, in addition to Cyclonite, an aqueous diluate which contains either dimethylolnitramide, its dinitrate ester, or both. The presence of dimethylolnitramide can be demonstrated by its condensation with methylenediamine to give 1,5-dinitro-3,7-endomethy¡ene-1,3,5,7-tetrazacycloöctane (DPT). The latter compound was identified by nitrolysis to 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazacycloöctane. The validity of the Mannich-type condensation of dimethylolnitramide from the Hale diluate (or from formaldehyde and nitramide) to form DPT has been attested by similar condensations with methylamine, ethylenediamine, cyclohexylamine, and benzylamine. In one of these condensations acetaldehyde has replaced part of the formaldehyde. Dimethylolnitramide has further been characterized by its conversion to 3,7-dinitro-3,7-diaza-1,5-dioxacycloöctane. Nitrolysis of the latter forms sym. dinitroxydimethylnitramide, which can be acetolyzed to sym. diacetoxydimethylnitramide.